As an irrigation consultant, people who enjoy problem solving, collaboration, and travel will have a lot of fun. Irrigation is a term that describes how water and drainage systems are managed. Planning, project management, and professional advice are the three main aspects of this role.
Irrigation does not have a specific post-secondary education program. Irrigation consultants have typically completed a landscape architect or landscaping technician training program. Because no formal education is required, some consultants have gained their knowledge through work experience in a variety of irrigation-related positions. Technical drawing abilities are a must-have for this position. At the community college level, there are a variety of short courses in technical drawing and the use of AutoCAD® programs.
Irrigation is a critical component of any construction project, both in the short and long run. Many construction projects include irrigation systems to help with site drainage by diverting water away from the digging site and into other areas of the property. Irrigation planning is an important part of long-term drainage and water management.
Construction projects of any size necessitate extensive planning. Irrigation consultants are usually brought in at the start and end of a project. The irrigation consultant starts by providing topographical maps, underground water table identification, and an irrigation plan. To ensure that the plan is approved, multiple meetings with architects, site managers, and licensing staff are held. He or she returns to the site at the end of the project to confirm the end result and make any necessary adjustments.
Irrigation consultants are in charge of project management for the actual irrigation project. Because this is usually a brief consulting assignment, all information must be relayed to the construction project engineer in order for the project to continue at other stages. The irrigation consultant, as a member of the construction team, is ultimately responsible for a specific set of tasks related to the irrigation project. Staff coordination, resource allocation, and change communication to the rest of the team are all critical.
The creation of professional advice reports is another role for irrigation consultants. Government agencies or other licensing bodies frequently require these reports. The report’s goal is to provide a professional, unbiased assessment of irrigation options, benefits, risks, and long-term consequences. The information provided determines what type of structure the site can support, so this report is typically requested two to three years before building plans are submitted.